Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho

1. Ed Gein's Horrors: The Real-Life Inspiration for Psycho

The Gein farmhouse offered testimony not only to man’s fathomless capacity for the barbaric, but also to the ability of an entire community to deny its very existence.

Plainfield's Dark Secret. In late 1957, the quiet Wisconsin town of Plainfield was thrust into the national spotlight when the gruesome crimes of Ed Gein were uncovered. Gein, a recluse, had been collecting body parts from graves and committing murders, transforming his home into a macabre museum of human remains. This real-life horror story served as the chilling inspiration for Robert Bloch's novel, Psycho.

• Gein's crimes included grave robbing, cannibalism, and the creation of household items from human skin and bones.
• The community's initial denial and subsequent shock highlighted the capacity for evil to exist in seemingly ordinary places.
• The case exposed a dark underbelly of American life, challenging the idealized image of the 1950s.

Unspeakable Truths. The details of Gein's atrocities were so disturbing that they were often suppressed or downplayed in the media. This created a vacuum filled with rumors and sick jokes, revealing the community's struggle to reconcile the horror with their own sense of normalcy. The case became a symbol of the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.

• Newspapers focused on the murders and cannibalism, omitting details of transvestism and grave robbing.
• Back-fence rumors and sick jokes filled the void left by the suppressed facts.
• The community's denial and the morbid fascination of outsiders created a lasting legacy of unease.

A Mirror to the Soul. The Gein case forced people to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the potential for evil within themselves. It challenged the notion that such horrors could only happen "somewhere else," revealing the fragility of the human psyche and the capacity for denial. The case served as a stark reminder that the most terrifying monsters can sometimes be found in the most ordinary of places.

2. Robert Bloch's Psycho: A Novel Born from Darkness

I wondered how this man, never suspected of any kind of wrongdoing, in a town where if someone sneezed on the north side of town, someone on the south said ‘Gesundheit,’ was only suddenly discovered to be a mass murderer.

From Fact to Fiction. Robert Bloch, living just 39 miles from Plainfield, was deeply disturbed by the Ed Gein case. He used the sparse details available to him to create a fictional character, Norman Bates, a motel keeper with a dark secret. Bloch's novel, Psycho, explored the psychological depths of a man driven by a twisted relationship with his mother.

• Bloch was intrigued by the contrast between Gein's seemingly normal life and his horrific crimes.
• He created Norman Bates as a recluse with a mother fixation, drawing on Freudian theories.
• The novel transformed the Midwestern setting into the fictional town of Fairvale in the American Southwest.

Breaking Taboos. Bloch's novel was a departure from the polite "parlor mysteries" of the time, delving into themes of transvestism, necrophilia, and matricide. He also employed the shocking tactic of killing off the heroine early in the story, subverting reader expectations.

• The novel introduced taxidermy as a major plot device, crossing the line into "shocker" territory.
• Bloch used multiple viewpoints, including the first-person voice of Norman Bates, to create suspense.
• The shower scene, with its graphic violence, was a shocking innovation for the time.

A Shocking Success. Despite initial rejections, Psycho became a bestseller, praised for its chilling effectiveness and psychological depth. It was a genre piece that transcended its genre, influencing later writers and filmmakers. The novel's success paved the way for its adaptation into a film by Alfred Hitchcock.

• The novel received positive reviews, including one in the New York Times.
• It was praised for its chilling effectiveness and exploration of mental illness.
• The book's success led to a paperback version and, ultimately, a film adaptation.

3. Hitchcock's Vision: Why Psycho, Why Now?

If I made Cinderella, the audience would be looking for a corpse to turn up in the coach.

A Master's Challenge. By 1959, Alfred Hitchcock was a renowned director, but he felt trapped by his own success. He was constantly seeking new ways to challenge himself and his audience, and Psycho offered a radical departure from his usual fare.

• Hitchcock was wary of repeating himself and sought to "recharge the battery" with new material.
• He was tired of big-budget productions and the demands of major stars.
• He was intrigued by the suddenness of the shower murder and the transvestism device.

Beyond the Expected. Hitchcock was drawn to the unexpected elements of Bloch's novel: the working-class milieu, the shocking murders, and the twist ending. He saw an opportunity to create a low-budget shocker that would defy audience expectations.

• He was fascinated by the idea of a story that starts as one thing and turns into something else.
• He wanted to create characters that the audience could identify with and care about.
• He was intrigued by the cleverness of the transvestism device and the shock value of the shower murder.

A Score to Settle. Hitchcock also saw Psycho as a way to compete with French director Henri-Georges Clouzot, whose film Les Diaboliques had been a critical and commercial success. He wanted to prove that he could create a suspenseful and shocking film that would surpass Clouzot's work.

• He had been beaten to the punch by Clouzot in acquiring the rights to a similar suspense novel.
• He was determined to create a film that would be even more shocking and suspenseful than Les Diaboliques.
• He was also tracking the success of low-budget horror films and saw an opportunity to create a high-quality shocker.

4. The Deal: Hitchcock's Calculated Risk and Creative Control

Paramount functions practically as a studio setup for him.

Paramount's Reluctance. Paramount executives were initially opposed to Hitchcock's plan to adapt Psycho, viewing it as too repulsive and shocking. They were also wary of his desire to make a low-budget film, fearing it would damage his reputation.

• Studio executives were unhappy with the story, title, and overall concept.
• They refused to finance the project, forcing Hitchcock to take on the financial risk himself.
• They also denied him access to studio soundstages, forcing him to shoot at Universal.

Hitchcock's Countermove. Hitchcock, determined to make the film, agreed to finance Psycho personally and shoot at Universal-International if Paramount would distribute the picture. He also deferred his director's fee in exchange for 60% ownership of the negative.

• He used his television crew to minimize costs and speed up production.
• He agreed to finance the film personally, taking on the financial risk.
• He secured a deal with Paramount to distribute the film, retaining creative control.

A Masterstroke of Control. By financing the film himself, Hitchcock gained complete creative control over the project. He was able to make the film he wanted, without interference from studio executives. This allowed him to push boundaries and create a truly unique and shocking film.

• He had complete control over story selection, screenwriter, cast, editing, and publicity.
• He was able to shoot the film quickly and inexpensively, like an expanded episode of his TV series.
• He proved that he could make a quality film without spending a lot of money.

5. Screenwriting: From Cavanagh to Stefano's Dark Brilliance

Writing Is Rewriting

Cavanagh's Failed Attempt. Hitchcock initially hired James P. Cavanagh, a writer from his TV series, to adapt Psycho. However, Cavanagh's script was deemed unsatisfactory, lacking the necessary humor and psychological depth.

• Cavanagh's script was described as tentative and lacking in detail.
• It failed to capture the complexity of the characters and the suspense of the story.
• Hitchcock ultimately fired Cavanagh, paying him $7,166 for his efforts.

Stefano's Vision. Joseph Stefano, a young writer with a flair for characterization, was hired to rewrite the script. He brought a fresh perspective to the story, focusing on the psychological aspects of the characters and the visual elements of the film.

• Stefano was initially disappointed by the novel, but saw potential in the characters.
• He shifted the focus to Marion Crane, making her a sympathetic character.
• He emphasized the visual aspects of the story, creating a blueprint for Hitchcock's camera work.

A Collaborative Process. Hitchcock and Stefano worked closely together, developing the story piece by piece. Hitchcock focused on the technical aspects of the film, while Stefano focused on characterization and dialogue.

• Hitchcock was very specific about camera movements and sound cues.
• Stefano added gallows wit and deepened the characterization.
• The collaboration resulted in a screenplay that was both shocking and psychologically complex.

6. Pre-Production: A Meticulous Blueprint for Shock

My films are made on paper.

Attention to Detail. Hitchcock was a meticulous planner, and his pre-production process for Psycho was no exception. He carefully selected his technical crew, including his television collaborators, and began to map out every aspect of the film.

• He chose his TV crew for their experience with shorter schedules and lower budgets.
• He scouted locations, researched details, and created detailed storyboards.
• He worked closely with his art directors to design the Bates house and motel.

Cost-Conscious Choices. Hitchcock made several cost-conscious choices during pre-production, including shooting in black and white and using his television crew. He also dropped several elaborate camera flourishes described in the shooting script.

• He dropped a helicopter shot and a 360-degree camera pan for budgetary reasons.
• He used stock unit sections and cannibalized sets from other productions.
• He limited the number of locations and kept the interiors simple.

Casting for Impact. Hitchcock carefully selected his cast, choosing actors who were not typically associated with horror films. He wanted to maximize the shock value of the story by casting familiar faces in unexpected roles.

• He cast Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, a vulnerable young man with a dark side.
• He cast Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, a star actress who would be killed off early in the film.
• He cast Vera Miles as Lila Crane, a former protégée who had fallen out of favor.

7. Shooting: A Set Divided, Innovation Unleashed

He enjoyed fooling the audience like that.

A Fast-Paced Production. Hitchcock shot Psycho in just 36 days, utilizing his television crew and a streamlined production process. He was determined to prove that he could make a quality film without spending a lot of money.

• He shot between 14 and 18 setups a day, a fast pace for a feature film.
• He used his television crew, who were accustomed to shorter schedules.
• He kept the production moving quickly, avoiding unnecessary delays.

Technical Innovation. Despite the low budget, Hitchcock employed several innovative techniques to enhance the suspense and horror of the film. He used a combination of camera angles, lighting, and sound to create a sense of unease and dread.

• He used 50-millimeter lenses to create a sense of realism.
• He used a rotating light wheel to simulate passing car headlights.
• He used a hydraulic device to sink the car in the swamp.

A Set Divided. Hitchcock created a sense of tension on the set by dividing the cast into two camps: those who were involved in the first part of the film and those who were involved in the second. He also kept the ending a secret from most of the cast and crew.

• He created a divide between Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins and the rest of the cast.
• He kept the ending a secret from most of the cast and crew.
• He used the tension on set to enhance the suspense of the film.

8. Post-Production: Crafting the Sound of Terror

I think that the thing that appealed to me and made me decide to do the picture was the suddenness of the murder in the shower, coming, as it were, out of the blue.

Sound Design. Hitchcock was a master of sound design, and he used it to great effect in Psycho. He carefully crafted the sound effects and music to create a sense of unease and dread.

• He used the sound of the shower to create a sense of tension.
• He used the sound of a casaba melon being stabbed to simulate the sound of a knife entering flesh.
• He used a combination of voices to create the unsettling voice of Mother.

Bernard Herrmann's Score. Bernard Herrmann's score for Psycho was a masterpiece of suspense and horror. He used only strings to create a dissonant and unsettling sound that perfectly complemented the film's black-and-white visuals.

• He used only strings to create a black-and-white sound.
• He created a score that was both beautiful and terrifying.
• He ignored Hitchcock's request for no music in the shower scene, creating one of the most iconic musical moments in film history.

Editing for Impact. Hitchcock and editor George Tomasini worked closely together to create a fast-paced and suspenseful film. They used quick cuts and jarring transitions to heighten the shock value of the violence.

• They used a staccato editing style to create a sense of unease.
• They used close-ups and extreme angles to heighten the tension.
• They used a combination of visual and aural techniques to create a truly terrifying experience.

9. Publicity: The Art of Controlled Hysteria

I am aware that I am equipped with what other people have called a fiendish sense of humor.

Hitchcock's Master Plan. Hitchcock was a master of publicity, and he used his skills to create a sense of mystery and anticipation around Psycho. He refused to show the film to critics in advance and imposed strict rules on theater admissions.

• He refused to show the film to critics in advance, creating a sense of mystery.
• He imposed strict rules on theater admissions, creating a sense of exclusivity.
• He used his own persona to promote the film, playing up his image as a master of suspense.

Exploitation Gimmicks. Hitchcock and Paramount used a variety of exploitation gimmicks to promote Psycho, including a "no admittance after the start" policy, a "don't reveal the ending" campaign, and a series of macabre trailers.

• They used a "no admittance after the start" policy to create a sense of urgency.
• They used a "don't reveal the ending" campaign to build suspense.
• They used a series of macabre trailers to tease the audience.

A Media Sensation. The publicity campaign for Psycho was a huge success, generating a great deal of buzz and anticipation. The film became a cultural phenomenon, with audiences flocking to theaters to experience the shock and suspense for themselves.

• The film became a cultural phenomenon, with audiences lining up around the block.
• The publicity campaign generated a great deal of buzz and anticipation.
• The film's success was due in large part to Hitchcock's masterful manipulation of the media.

10. Release and Aftermath: A Cultural Earthquake

The world goes Psycho.

A Box Office Smash. Psycho was a huge box office success, grossing millions of dollars and becoming one of the most profitable films of all time. It shattered attendance records and became a cultural phenomenon.

• The film grossed $15 million domestically in its first year of release.
• It became one of the most profitable black-and-white films of all time.
• It shattered attendance records and became a cultural phenomenon.

Critical Reassessment. While some critics initially dismissed Psycho as a low-budget shocker, others recognized its artistic merit and psychological depth. Over time, the film's reputation grew, and it is now considered a classic of the horror genre.

• The film received mixed reviews upon its initial release.
• Over time, critics began to recognize its artistic merit and psychological depth.
• It is now considered a classic of the horror genre and one of Hitchcock's greatest films.

A Lasting Legacy. Psycho has had a lasting impact on popular culture, influencing countless films, television shows, and other forms of media. It has become a touchstone for the horror genre, and its themes and techniques continue to resonate with audiences today.

• The film has influenced countless horror films and television shows.
• It has become a touchstone for the horror genre.
• Its themes and techniques continue to resonate with audiences today.

Last updated: January 27, 2025